Friday, 20 May 2011

Going to a foreign country is a wonderful experience as it provides you the opportunity to see new places, meet new people. However, facing health related issues of any nature in a foreign land are not welcomed by anyone. People do have health insurance coverage in their own country, but barring few lucky ones the policies do not cover the claims made against the medical condition and treatment in alien land. Paying all that money from own pocket is quite bad as travelling itself is an expensive proposition and extra money spent on the treatment, doctors' fee and hospital charges can really ruin the budget allocated for the trip. If you are out with the family, then it only means the trip is ruined and you have to cut short the vacations and come back home with long faces. To avoid such bleak situation from happening, a dedicated travel health insurance policy is a very beneficial document that you can posses to ensure all the medical expenses incurred during the travel are covered.

There are very few insurance plans that provide international coverage and even those few provide limited coverage rather than the comprehensive blanket coverage that is provided in homeland. Frequent travelers can purchase a long term travel health insurance policy, whereas the small term policies are also available that can be used for a short trip only. Short term policy is generally more expensive than the long term policy, but cost for both is way less than the money one has to spend if medical services are required in foreign land.

There are many options available when you come to a foreign land to purchase the travel health insurance policy. You can acquire one upon reaching the foreign country as the representatives are available at airport as well. However, it is better to have the policy in advance to avoid any inconvenience. You can also talk to your travel agent to assist you in getting the travel health insurance policy while purchasing the tickets and arranging the visit plan.

Cost is obviously an important aspect while doing anything, but it should not be ‘the' criteria while selecting a company for purchasing travel health insurance. You need to search online to see the repute of the company and to check if they are good with accepting claims and reimbursing the claimed amounts. Claim procedure is almost same in all countries, but it will be good to know about the way the whole thing work in the particular country you are visiting.

Whether you have acute or chronic hepatitis, there are many signs to be on the look out for. For example, with acute, the many features are going to be a lot like flu symptoms, things like muscle pains and aching joints as well as fever that burns your forehead and a feeling of nausea as well as diarrhea and also vomiting, too, coupled with a horrid headache. Also, you can also experience some loss of hunger and you won't want to eat anything. You will also notice that you ate smoking and you won't want to be near smokers who smoke because the smell of it will make you feel really ill.

Also, your urine will appear dark and strange and your skin might turn a yellowish shade as well as your eyes. You will also feel pain and unease in your stomach and all of this will let you know that you probably have a malfunction of the liver, which is the pith of hepatitis. Sometimes your lymph nodes will swell and maybe your spleen might, too. Usually this is present in younger people and lasts about a week to ten days, with the entire thing lasting for about two to six weeks. In rare cases this can lead to absolute liver failure and will not be able to produce the necessary proteins that clear the blood and then a new liver will be needed. If it cannot be procured, the person might face death. Some examples of this are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, as well as yellow fever, herpes simplex, and toxoplasma, Q fever, and rocky mountain spotted fever.

Now, chronic hepatitis is different in that it might not present any symptoms. Though you might feel tired and weak but otherwise, it probably won't have many other symptoms. So, if this feeling of malaise persists, then going to the doctor will perpetuate a blood test that will allow it to be discovered. If jaundice is present, then that shows liver damage, or the liver might be enlarged. When the liver is thus damaged it can lead to losing weight, bleeding or bruising easy, swelling of the legs, and much build up of fluids in your stomach cavity. Also, you might have veins enlarging which poses a threat to your health, as well. Other things will be inflammation of kidneys and thyroid glands, as well as acne and lung scarring, too, and for women, abnormal menstruation. Some of these are hepatitis B, autoimmune hepatitis. Some of these cause metabolic disorders, such as Wilson's disease, which can cause the liver to inflame and necrosis, as well.

Though much of this is caused by hepatitis, it is also caused by a variety of toxins, such as things from mushrooms and a variety of other places, as well as alcohol, which can also swiftly cause you to have hepatitis as well. Additionally, some medications and some plants and things can be the cause of it, as well, so really many factors can cause and contribute to it in effect.

As Parkinson's disease really affects movement and motor functions, that is the main place to look for signs and symptoms of the disease. It really affects the motor function of the body, and there are four motor symptoms that are considered the most important ones to look for in relation to this disease. Firstly, tremor, is the most popular of all symptoms as well as the most common. Usually when the body is at rest, the limbs will begin to tremor and disappears when the person moves on their own or sleeps. It usually affects the distal part of the limb and appears in just one place, like the arm or leg, spreading more later. Usually it is about four to six hertz per second. This is usually always present for patients and for the small percent that don't have it, they acquire it later upon disease onset.

Another motor that is important is Bradykinesia, which means slowness of movement, and has to do with slowing the motions of the patient. It is seen in the early stages of the disease and can be noticed when people are trying to do daily things like sew or write or dress themselves but they cannot seem to do it at a normal speed or pace. Of all the symptoms this is the one that interferes most with peoples' lives at the early stages of the disease because it hinders their ability to get things done and to perform ordinary and everyday instances. Furthermore, it is not an equally applied event either, as sometimes the patient can't walk at all but can ride a bicycle, as it affects various parts of the bodies in different ways and at different times.

Rigidity is the increased muscle tone which causes stiffness and resistance to limb movement. The patient might experience some joint pain and aches and be unable to move their body or their muscles easily as it will all feel stuck and fastened together. This might cause problems for them when they try to go for a walk or to pick up something or if they sit in one place for too long they will always have this rigid sense of being fastened down and trapped and aching in their bodies.

Other symptoms include things like slowed speed and a difficulty to work the motor functions and say things with ease. Speech becomes slurred and slow and it is harder to get thoughts out verbally. Also, depression might follow as well as apathy and a disdain for life at having to live it so difficultly, like someone trapped in a body that is working against them. Drowsiness might occur as well as urinary incontinence.

There is no known cause for the disease, although some people think that it occurs when people are exposed to certain pesticides. Treatments today help manage the motor functioning systems by using dopamine and levodopa, but as the disease progress the drugs fail to work. There are other kinds of medications available, as well, as well as therapies and rehab.

Obesity in the United States is at an all time high, growing faster than ever, doubling in adults and tripling in children, health officials have stated. Dr. Thomas Frieden, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has come out with a shocking report as he released data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

"Less than a decade ago, in 2000, not a single state had an obesity prevalence of 30 per cent or higher," Frieden said. In 2010, stated Frieden, one state managed could attain a health set by health officials to reduce the rate of obesity to 15 per cent or less. An additional 2.4 million US adults self-reported to the BRFSS that they were obese, pushing the national obesity rate up by 1.1 percentage points to 27 per cent, according to the BRFSS. Frieden also accused the difference on the data collection methods employed by each survey: BRFSS is self-reported while "in NHANES, participants are weighed and measured."

Obesity is body mass index greater than 30. This Body Mass Index, BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height squared in meters. In health terms, it means a person is at high risk for diseases ranging high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Medical costs are rising fast in the US due to escalating cases of obesity, augmenting the risk of early deaths due to diseases like heart disease, diabetes, stroke etc.In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at 147 billion dollars, Frieden said.

"That translates into medical costs for people who are obese that were 1,429 higher per person each year compared to normal-weight individuals," he said. A separate study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine stated that the percentage of obese adults in the United States shot up by 90 per cent in 16 years, from 14 percent in 1993 to 27 percent two years ago.

A Chicago malpractice lawyer has brought to light the essence of a National Practitioner Data Bank report that points to a stark reality: most doctors who have been meted clinical privilege actions had no punishment from their State Medical Boards. The report casts a light into the fact that most of these erring or incautious medical professionals may still continue to practice their professions despite their spurious records.

This may have the effect of sending a message to the general public that medical malpractice is "Ok" if the State Medical Boards fail to sanction the physician. A striking conclusion that could be derived from this is the possibility that some of these physicians could merely move their practices elsewhere and continue to place patients at risk.

Ramifications of the Study

The implications are very astounding and not to mention scary given the range of offenses that these physicians face. Considering that some of these doctors have been sanctioned for leaving a medical tool inside the body of a patient, the inaction of the corresponding State Medical Boards is simply flabbergasting.

A clear message should be sent to these doctors and unfortunately, it would have to be sent by a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer or Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer via a lawsuit.

Although the emotional and financial toll of a lawsuit may be too heavy on all the parties involved, with the inaction of the State Medical Boards, punitive action should be undertaken by the affected parties to at the very least ensure that these doctors will no longer victimize other people.

Birth related injuries could best be handled by a Chicago birth injury lawyerwho would also send a clear message to all those who are in the profession that: "you can get sued and your license revoked if you're not careful with our bodies."

A Call to Action

Whether the unfortunate medical event that transpired is one that is deliberate or a mistake, physicians and other health professionals are not above the law. Consulting a Chicago birth injury lawyer to have a solid grasp of your options would not only benefit you as the victim, but also the greater good.

First, it would increase the awareness of people regarding the fact that they have a choice. Next, it would coerce those who are in the medical profession to give better importance to procedures and safety precautions. Finally, it would take those who have been found liable out of the profession so that they would not be able to harm anybody else.

You may have lost a loved one, or have experienced grave injuries because of an incorrect procedure done on you, but this doesn't mean that you can no longer enjoy life. The choice is yours.

The Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard P.C. Law Firm is a seasoned firm that practices nationwide. Their specialization in medical malpractice and injuries has seasoned their Chicago medical malpractice lawyer to be the best in the profession. Know more about them via their website at salvilaw.com

"Type 1 diabetes" is also being called as childhood-onset diabetes, juvenile diabetes, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Likewise, "type 2 diabetes" is also being called as adult-onset diabetes, obesity-related diabetes, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Type 1 diabetesType 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by loss of the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas which leads to insulin deficiency. The majority of type 1 diabetes is of beta cell loss by autoimmune attack. There is no known preventive measure against type 1 diabetes, which causes approximately 10% of diabetes mellitus cases. Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was previously termed "juvenile diabetes or childhood-onset diabetes" because it represents a majority of the diabetes cases in children.

Type 2 diabetesType 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance which may be combined with relatively reduced insulin secretion. The improper utilization or sensitivity of body tissues to insulin is believed to involve the insulin receptor. However, the specific defects are not known, but excess fat deposits in the muscle cell are assumed to be the cause. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes.

In the early stage of type 2 diabetes, the abnormality in insulin sensitivity can be overcome by medication that improve insulin sensitivity or reduce the production of glucose by liver. As the disease progresses, due to low level of insulin secretion a therapeutic replacement of insulin often becomes necessary.

Gestational diabetesGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a sub class of type 2 diabetes, involving a combination of relatively inadequate insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. It occurs in about 2%-5% of all pregnancies and mostly it will disappear after delivery. About 20%-50% of all gestational women develop type-2 diabetes later in their lives.

Even though it may be transient, untreated gestational diabetes can cause health issues for both the fetus and mother. Risks to the baby include high birth weight and breathing difficulties after delivery.

Pre-diabetesPre-diabetes mellitus indicates a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose level is higher than normal but not high enough to diagnose as type-2 diabetes. Many people diagnosed as type-2 diabetes may spend many years in a state of pre-diabetes.

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

One of the fatal types of mesothelioma is Peritoneal Mesothelioma in which the cancerous cells attack the lining of the abdomen called Peritoneum. Peritoneum is the thin membrane, which shields various organs of the abdomen and also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly. Peritoneal Mesothelioma, which affects this lining, is yet now a relatively rare disease that accounts for about 1/5 of all mesotheliomas. Its only known cause in the U.S. till date is previous exposure to asbestos.

Major symptoms

Though Mesothelioma is neither age nor sex specific, peritoneal Mesothelioma is mostly seen in men who are in the age group of 50-70 years. There are a number of symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma most of which start appearing after 20, 30 or 50 years after the exposure to asbestos. These symptoms may include weight loss (however, waist line may increase), pain or swelling in the abdomen, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, anemia, nausea and fever. Also, fluid often accumulates in the peritoneal space leading to a condition called Ascites.

Diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma

The initial step towards detection of peritoneal mesothelioma includes X-rays and CT scans. For confirmed diagnosis, however the doctor needs to do biopsy whereby a piece of tissue is cut from the affected part of the victim's body and is placed under microscope for examination. If the disease is detected at an early stage it stands better chance of getting cured than the state of diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma, where the cancer has already spread to various parts.

The cure

It's true that peritoneal mesothelioma is fatal and leads to several deaths every year. However, with continued researches, several modes of treatments have been embarked upon and in the future there is a fair chance of the disease becoming absolutely curable. The types of treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

In surgery a part of the abdominal tissue is cut out to remove the tumor. At times the doctor may also need to remove a lung or a portion of the diaphragm as per the requirement of the surgery. Radiation therapy, the second method, requires the application of high energy X-rays to shrink the tumor and kill the malignant cells. The rays may be applied from an external machine or by placing the radiation source directly to the affected part of the body, by means of plastic tubes. Last treatment type is the chemotherapy whereby a combination of drugs is applied to kill the cancer cells. The drugs may be administered by mouth in the capsule form or may be applied intravenously via needle.

However, it is essential to mention that cost of treating any form of cancer is extravagant and you may consult a mesothelioma lawyer to earn you a handsome compensation from the authority who was responsible for your prior exposure to asbestos.

So learn more about peritoneal mesothelioma so that you can initiate the treatment at the very early stage and get cured.

Breast Cancer Symptoms forms inside the tissues of the breast. It is added regular in the sphere of women with the aim of it is in the sphere of men. A self-examination and a mammogram are used to detect the presence of lumps. The lumps are at that time tested to check if they are cancerous and need to befall disinterested. Therapy involves surgery, drugs and radiation. In the sphere of addition, near are many diverse types of breast disease and the boundary of their reach is diverse. Basic detection is very valuable for the reason that, it income with the aim of you start receiving therapy basic. This helps raise your likelihood of survival.

Breast disease is added likely to transpire in the sphere of women who occur from families with a history of the disease. It is likely to occur in the sphere of women in excess of the age of forty and folks with the aim of be inflicted with the disease causing gene. Each woman in excess of the age of forty is necessary to follow a mammogram yearly. Folks by a elevated menace ought to consider getting checked sooner than the age of forty. A screen mammogram is able to detect an oddity sooner than it is huge an adequate amount of to befall felt in self-examinations. If a lump is found, at that time a diagnostic mammogram is ended to check whether it is cancerous. Other follow-up tests with the aim of may well befall ended to check whether a lump is cancerous include; a needle biopsy, a surgical biopsy or else a breast ultra-sound.

Not all lumps or else abnormal mammograms are indications of breast disease. A lump may well befall kind and non-cancerous. It may well befall a breast sore or else a denser than routine breast tissue. An alternative reason with the aim of may well principal to an abnormal looking mammogram is a before breast surgery. More tests afterward screening mammogram needs to befall ended in the same way as soon in the same way as on the cards. This is ended so in the same way as to put to rest the patients fears or else so with the aim of, therapy can come into being.

Abnormal mammogram results can be inflicted with adverse personal property on the lives of the patients, strain members and acquaintances. This is for the reason that of the uncertainty involved in the same way as they hold your horses in lieu of the diagnostic, biopsy or else ultra sound results. Repetitive apply of mammograms may well consequence in the sphere of problems due to radiation exposure. Near are additionally limitations involved with the apply of these tests. In lieu of case in point, they perform not generally save lives in the same way as diagnosis may well befall made afterward the disease has reach to other body parts. In the sphere of situations someplace it has not reach, it may well still not consequence in the sphere of portion save lives.

Monday, 16 May 2011

More and more often, I come across cases of nonsmokers who develop lung cancer. My attention is always drawn to news of this nature because my husband passed away at the age of 51 from brain and lung cancer. He never smoked a day in his life.

The complacency non-smokers have shared over the years is no longer a viable option. Smokers and non-smokers alike are vulnerable to a disease which is largely incurable. Among patients with lung cancer, only about 14% live five years after their diagnosis.

In the face of a disease that seems to have neither rhyme nor reason, what can we do to protect ourselves? First, assess your risk for lung cancer; then take measures to prevent the disease.

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

Gender: Unfortunately, women seem to be more vulnerable to lung cancer. Research has shown that female smokers are more susceptible to the cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes. In another study, a gene linked to abnormal lung cancer cell growth was found to be more active in women than in men. It did not matter whether the women smoked or not.

A family history of lung cancer: Evidence suggests that there is a lung cancer gene which predisposes offspring to develop lung cancer. However, the evidence is far from conclusive as the situation is made difficult by the fact that offspring of smokers have been exposed to a smoking environment since childhood and would therefore have a greater risk for developing the disease.

Scarring from previous lung disease : Scarring in lungs caused by tuberculosis or other lung disease can be a risk factor for lung cancer.

Second-hand smoke: Exposure to second-hand smoke has been shown to be a definite risk factor. Your risk increases by 30 percent from daily exposure to second-hand smoke. This is probably the most significant risk factor for lung cancer in non-smokers.

Exposure to radon: Radon is an odorless gas than can seep out of the soil into buildings. Worse yet, the gas can seep from the soil into water near residential communities. Radon has been implicated as a potential cause of lung cancer.

Air pollution: Long-term occupational exposure to diesel exhaust fumes may increase lung cancer risk by 47%. Air pollution in general is a risk factor in the general population. Swedish researchers estimate that as many as 1 in 10 cases of lung cancer may be caused by air pollution in the Swedish capital city, Stockholm.

Past Cancer Treatment: Researchers in Sweden who looked at the medical records of 140,000 breast cancer patients found that there was an increase of lung cancer 5 to 20 years after breast cancer treatment. Suspicion is that radiotherapy in the chest area may have made the lungs more susceptible to the disease.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy: According to researchers at the University of Pittsburg, estrogen may fuel the growth of non small-cell lung cancer.

What preventative measures can we take?

Diet: An apple a day may keep lung cancer away. A Finnish study suggests that apples not only keep doctors away, but provide protection for the lungs as well. This study found that people who ate the most apples were 58 % less likely to develop lung cancer. Other studies suggest that lung cancer risk is lower among smokers and non smokers who ate at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits daily.

Beta Carotene: A high intake of beta carotene compounds can lower your lung cancer risk; however, studies also show that the beta carotene is only effective when the compounds are ingested from whole foods such as peaches, melon, carrots, mangoes, dark leafy vegetables, squash etc. The opposite effect seems to take place with beta carotene supplements. A Finnish study reported 18% more lung cancer cases among heavy smokers who took beta carotene supplements. And a National Cancer Study on the effects of vitamin A and beta carotene was halted because smokers taking the supplements had 28% more lung cancer than those taking a placebo.

Selenium and Vitamin C: Taking selenium supplements on a long- term basis has been shown to decrease the incidence of lung cancer. In one study, people taking 55-200 mcg of the mineral daily had a 46% lower rate of lung cancer. As well, studies indicate that people who take less than 90 mg of vitamin C on a daily basis may have a 90% higher risk of lung cancer than those who take 140mg or more.

Avoid second-hand smoke and check your house for radon.

There are never guarantees in life, but it makes perfectly good sense to take some preventative measures as these can not only improve your overall quality of health and life but also prevent lung cancer.

There is not much awareness about cancer and that is why there are many myths that surround this medical condition. One thing which every one should know about the cancer is the early warning sign, so that the same can be treated and cured. The common myths about cancer are –

1. Use of cell phones can cause cancer.Again this is a very common belief that cell phones can cause cancer. There is no credible study available that consistently proves that using a cell phone has the ability to cause cancer.

2. Hair dye can cause brain cancer.Hair dye never causes cancer however this is a very common myth believed world over. The common belief was that hair dye can cause brain tumor, but there is no evidence of it causing brain tumors. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms that hair dye does not increase the risk of developing cancer.

3. Cancer can cause hair loss or hair loss indicates cancer.Cancer does not cause hair loss. However, hair loss can be a side effect of cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. That too not with everyone, there are people who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation and did not lose their hair.

4. One can inherit cancer from parents.This is not true with all types of cancer. This means that one will not inherit cancer from parents for sure. However there are few types of cancer which can be passed down genetically, like breast cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. If a parent has any of these cancers, the cancer gene may be passed to their child. But this does not mean that the child will suffer from cancer surely. It can only increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

5. Breast cancer is found in women only.This is the biggest cancer myth and believed by most. Men too can have breast cancer. As per an estimate 1500 men will be diagnosed and about 500 will die from the disease this year. However male breast cancer is very uncommon, yet it happens.

6. Cancer can be contagious.In fact there is No type of cancer is contagious. However, there are two viruses which are contagious, Hepatitis C and HPV, they can cause cancer. Hep C causes liver cancer whereas HPV is a known risk factor for cervical cancer. Both of these viruses can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. However, Hep C is more often transmitted through blood to blood contact such as sharing needles and transfusions.

7. Pharmaceutical companies have the cure for cancer but are hiding it.If this was true, thousands of loved ones of pharmaceutical businessmen have not died due to this deadly disease. pharmaceutical researchers are actually fighting very hard to find some solution instead. This is the result of their hard word alone that today we can cure many types of cancer successfully.

8. Cancer means death.Yes, this could be but not always that cancer means death. New breakthroughs have made it possible to treat the cancer in early detection of of the disease. An estimate is that more than 35% of cancer patients reach or exceed the five year survivor life!

9. Use of antiperspirants and deodorant can cause cancer.According to the National Cancer Society, there is no conclusive evidence from recent studies that wearing them can cause cancer. This cancer myth is by far one of the most popular among women for that it can cause breast cancer.

10. Positive thinking cures cancer.Positive thinking does not cure cancer but surely plays very significant role during cancer treatment. Optimistic attitude helps increasing the quality of life during treatment. Although there is no scientific evidence that positive attitude cures cancer.

All the above mentioned are wrong notions. As one sees symptoms that are warning signs of cancer, one should rush to a doctor.

Thursday, 5 May 2011

There are certain people who get unfavorable response to some food, thus, considering it a food allergy. It is said to be an adverse immune response to a certain food protein. We often see friends and family who experience asthma or allergic rhinitis from eating an allergen.

Most common symptoms of food allergy are vomiting, nausea, rashes and diarrhea. This is how the body is reacting to something you have eaten or drank. This is also sometimes called as food intolerance, but these are two different things, which always confuse a lot of people. Both can have the same symptoms but food intolerance only gives milder reaction, as compared to food allergy. Just like lactose intolerance which only gives you an upset stomach.

Food allergy symptoms often show up about an hour after you have taken something. Detecting signs of allergy is your first step to identify the adverse effect of eating something. Swelling on the face, lips and tongue is a common sight, as well as wheezing and trouble breathing. Sulfite allergy is an example. It is the reaction you get when drinking wine, more particularly the red. Though it is has not been scientifically proven, accounts from people who suffer dizziness after drinking red wine were noted. Food allergy can also lead to a more severe reaction, which could sometimes be fatal. So it is important for someone to identify the food they are allergic to, in order to prevent hazard to one's life. A lot of people tend to outgrow their food allergies, though seafood like shellfish and fish, and nuts such as peanuts and almonds, and milk and eggs are somehow considered a lifelong allergy.

If you are suffering from food allergy, it would be wise to read the labels on the food that you are going to take in. If you are not sure on certain ingredients of a particular dish, then do not eat it. It would be more beneficial to stay away from it than having to suffer the effects right after. You can also read and research information all about it. You can keep a list of certain food that you should be avoiding as the ingredients can be an allergen. Asking your doctor can also be beneficial. Some medications can be recommended by your doctor in order to control the allergic symptoms, in case you have unwillingly eaten something you are allergic to.